“Whether or not the oil spill that took place during oil transfer operations at Phillips 66 was the fault of refinery staff or the shipping company hired to transport its oil is irrelevant,” said Ian Wren, a staff scientist at Baykeeper, an organization that works to stop pollution in San Francisco Bay.

“Phillips 66 should be expected to take full responsibility for this spill and any others that take place under its authority,” Wren said.